Coillte’s forestry strategic plan contains a number of surprises, not least a return to purchasing and planting 100,000ha of new forests by 2050.

While many will be cautious about Coillte’s return to land purchase, especially in partnership with private investors, there is clarity to the company’s vision for the next three decades, which is lacking in the private sector. A growing number of stakeholders believe there is a need for a Forestry Development Agency (FDA) to address the current crisis.

An independent FDA would also have a policy on creating a scheme to leverage the carbon value sequestered by forests and use this to reward farmers so that they treat forestry as a viable land use rather than one to be avoided.

Over the coming weeks, the Irish Farmers Journal will explore the need for an FDA and why it should be supported by Government so that the private sector – predominantly farmers – can achieve a viable forestry programme alongside Coillte.